NEUROBIOLOGICAL STUDY OF VOCALIZATION

该项目的长期目标是确定生物 发声的“非交际”功能的意义， 描述潜在的生理机制。 尽管发声传统上被视为一种手段， 最近从我的实验室的证据强烈表明， 沟通也是一种完整的生理能力。 鸟鸣，特别是雀形目鸟类的鸟鸣，长期以来一直是一个受欢迎的研究 系统 歌唱发展中的学习问题与适应 声学通信的重要性是其中的问题， 已经解决了。 男性的生理机制的主要问题 歌声可能会影响雌性的内分泌反应，最终产生卵子， 但没有研究过。 然而，这个问题一直是 深入研究非鸣禽系统。 研究的最新结果 雌性环鸽（Streptopelia risoria）的生殖系统揭示了 发声的一个有趣的方面， 关注 我们发现鸟类的发声会改变其内分泌 状态 什么神经通路介导这种内分泌反应？ 我们能 从形态学角度证明这一基本发现？ 都不一样吗 涉及内分泌的回路求爱的结果与其他 比如报警电话之类的声音 在这份申请中，我将决定 并描述神经通路的化学特征， 发声转变为内分泌反应。 换句话说我们 旨在证明增加的促黄体生成激素释放 激素（LHRH）的释放可以追溯到发声神经元的活动， 控制核与性能的女性巢呼吁。 拟议中的研究将增加有关声学输入如何， 特别是那些由个体自身发声情感产生的声音 内分泌状态，从而个人的福祉。

The long term objective of this project is to determine the biological significance of the "non-communicative" function of vocalization and characterize the underlying physiological mechanisms. Although vocalization has traditionally been viewed as a mean of communication, recent evidence from my laboratory strongly indicates that communication also function in an integral physiological capacity. Birdsong, especially in passerine species, has long been a favored research system. The issue of learning in development of song and adaptive significance of acoustic communication are among the problems which have been addressed. The primary question of the mechanism by which the male song may influence the female's endocrine response, culminating in egg- laying, has not been studied. However, this issue has been subject of intensive study of non-songbird system. Recent findings in the study of the female ringdove (Streptopelia risoria) reproductive system has revealed an interesting dimension of vocalization which has received little attention. We have found that a bird's vocalization alters its endocrine state. What neural pathways mediate this endocrine response? Can we demonstrate this basic finding in morphological terms? Are there different circuities involved in endocrine consequence of courtship vs other vocalization such as alarm calls? In this application, I will determine and characterize the chemical features of the neural pathways which mediate the conversion of vocalization into endocrine response. In other words, we intend to demonstrate that an increased luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release can be traced to neuronal activity in the vocal control nuclei associated with the performance of female nest calls. The proposed studies will add useful information about how acoustic inputs, especially those generated from the individual's own vocalization affect endocrine state and hence the well-being of the individual.